What Jesus Did! 'Anguish' — John 13:20-22

Monday, September 14, 2026

[To the disciples, Jesus continued,] "I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me."

Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!"

The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean.

— John 13:20-22 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus felt anguish! His caring acts for his disciples were carried out as he battled his own personal anguish. His teaching of truth and service was shared with the disciples who would cause a significant part of that anguish. Think of it: God feels anguish at our betrayals and failures to be loyal to him. It is incredible that the infinite God would expose himself to the pain that could be inflicted on him by finite and mortal people he has made. But, God loves us. He chose to make us and to be involved in our lives. He has given us a choice to accept or reject him. He wants our love only if it is offered freely. No wonder we can cause him anguish! So let's love and serve him without bounds!

Today's Prayer

I am moved, Abba Father, to speechless wonder and awe that you should love me so. I know that I am physically just a speck of dust in comparison to the incredible expanse of your creation. Yet you know me, dear Lord, and it matters to you how I respond to your love. Please know, Father, that I choose to love, honor, and cherish you and live for your glory out of my appreciation of your love. In Jesus' name, I offer my thanks. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

John 13:21
Devo: Today's Verse
"After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me." "
For how little have you given him up?
Illustration of John 13:21
Inspirational illustration of John 13:21 NIV -- After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified. "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."
Love before Nightfall
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, Satan tries to mess up every act of genuine love. What you read in the verses below is one of My most precious moments with My closest...."
A Palm Full of Mercy from a Basin of Grace
Article by Max Lucado
How can a basin of water mean so much to so many? Max Lucado reminds us that mercy may be hard, but it is often the only solution and that solution can only be offered by the one offended.

Illustration

Illustration of John 13:20-22 NLT — "I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me." —— "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, September 14, 2026

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'We are His!' (Ps. 100:2-3)
"Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people,..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Get Ready for Critics' (Acts 2:11-13)
"[In response to the coming of the Holy Spirit on Jesus' followers, the crowd responded:] "And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages....."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'The Sword of the Spirit' (Ep. 6:17)
"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Luke 10:40
"Her fault was not that she served: the condition of a servant well becomes every Christian. "I serve," should be the motto of all the princes of the....."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!